15 Peppers To Grow For A Big Harvest

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When I grow pepper plant, I hope to get as many peppers as possible before the season is over. We have grown hundreds of different varieties, and some will produce much more than others. So, in this article, I’ll share 15 of the best peppers to grow for a big harvest.

1. Cayennes

Cayenne peppers remain one of our favorite varieties to grow every season. These compact plants are capable of pumping out dozens of bright red spicy peppers. Plus, there are countless types of cayennes, from bigger varieties, to extra spicy ones, purple cayennes and more.

2. Ghost Peppers

So what’s the catch? Well, ghost peppers are one of the spiciest peppers in the world. So, if you don’t like it extra hot, this won’t be the plant for you. But if you like making hot sauce, ghost peppers are an excellent plant to grow in the garden.

3. Hatch Chiles

Hatch green chile, also known as New Mexico chiles, are large, spicy peppers commonly grown in the Southwestern US. Thankfully, these tasty peppers can be grown successfully in other regions (like our New England climate).

There are many varieties within the umbrella of “Hatch chile.” We had great results from “Big Jim” and “Ms. Junie,” both yielding dozens of huge, green peppers, ready for roasting.

4. Carmen Sweet Peppers

If you’ve grown bell peppers, you know that you might only get 3-4 fruits from a single plant. This is normal. Thankfully, there are other sweet peppers that have a much better yield potential. Carmen is one such pepper, often producing basketfuls of bright red, deliciously sweet peppers.

These are also known as “bull’s horn” peppers, a type that is great for frying or eating fresh. They have remarkably sweet flesh and a crunchy texture that is perfect for fresh salads. You can also slice and freeze them for use throughout the winter.

5. Banana Peppers

The first time we grew the Goddess banana pepper, we were blown away with the yields. The peppers are 6-8 inches long with thick, crunchy flesh. They’re so big, they can even be stuffed. Plus, the plants are sturdy and vigorous, often being one of the first to produce a harvest from our garden.

6. Jalapeños

We never go a season without growing several jalapeño plants. They are so delicious when picked fresh from the garden, and they can produce a ton of peppers. Our favorite jalapeño (so far) is the “Goliath” jalapeño, producing huge yields of big, crunchy fruits. But many others are worth growing, like the jalafuego, lemon spice, and jedi hybrid.

7. Lunchbox Sweet Peppers

If you like snack-sized sweet peppers, the lunchbox (or “snack”) pepper is a great option. They come in a variety of colors, including red, yellow and orange. Since the peppers are smaller, each plant can produce many fruits. Plus, they are a great option for non-spicy stuffed poppers.

8. Jay’s Peach Ghost Scorpion

This ghost pepper cross is one of my favorite bizarre peppers to grow. The fruits have a gnarly shape and a long, pointed stinger on the end. The best part is that the plants can produce hundreds of peppers in a single season if grown in the right conditions! Keep in mind, these peppers are very spicy, and they require a longer growing period to fully ripen, so plant seeds a week or two early.

9. Quintisho

The quintisho pepper is a cherry-shaped chili from Bolivia. These are fairly spicy with a unique, flowery flavor profile. They are best for making hot sauces, powders, or adding spice to meals in a relatively small dose.

10. Jimmy Nardello

Perhaps my very favorite sweet pepper is the long, quirky Jimmy Nardello. These have become more popular lately, showing up in some grocery stores, and with good reason. The Nardello is an old Italian heirloom with exceptionally sweet flavor and no heat.

So, if you’re looking for a crunchy sweet red pepper that looks a bit out of the ordinary, you should grow your own! It produces heaps of 8-12 inch squiggly peppers that are perfect for frying, salads, and making homemade paprika powder.

11. Biquinho Peppers

The biquinho pepper is a small hot chili with a unique, spinning-top shape. Since the fruits are so small, each plant typically produces dozens (or even hundreds) of peppers during the season. Smaller peppers are great for metering out your spice, and harvesting handfuls is very satisfying.

12. Habaneros

If you want to keep it traditional, look no further than the habanero. There are many types of habaneros, including orange, red, yellow, mustard, brown, and even white. They also have a high heat level, perfect for making habanero hot sauce. And, if normal habaneros are too spicy, you can find milder or even no-heat versions.

13. Sugar Rush Peppers

Perhaps the king of quirky peppers is the sugar rush stripey pepper. They come from the Capsicum baccatum species, and offer a unique, fruity flavor profile and medium heat. They can produce tons of peppers in the right conditions, though they take a long time to fully ripen.

14. Bolivian Rainbow

For a colorful display in your garden, try growing the lush and compact Bolivian rainbow. This ornamental pepper is most often grown for the colorful teardrop peppers which come in great numbers and point upwards instead of down.

15. Snow White Habaneros

Last but not least, the snow white habanero can produce hundreds of small ivory-colored chilies. They are basically mini-habaneros with an excellent aroma and flavor. While they do produce a big yield, harvesting can be quite a chore if your plants are big!

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I hope this article inspires you to grow a new pepper variety soon. To help you get the best yields, read this article next. Happy growing!